airathanas

Sounds like you had a horrible experience. I'm so sorry that you had to got through something like that. Even if you never return to jumping but still stay in the skydiving community, there's no shame in that. This is YOUR decision. After my second malfunction, I took three years off. I came back to the sport when it was right for ME. http://3ringnecklace.com/

Yea I'm still waiting for my free fly suit and it's been about a month. I don't expect it to fit when I get it (not getting my hopes up). I just want it in time for winter. http://3ringnecklace.com/

thanks- I know that I need to get Paypal- you're right... Actually I get a fair amount of emails from people asking about the necklaces. That's how I sell most of them. But thanks for the advice. http://3ringnecklace.com/

Thank you thank you. Maybe the "others" that you speak of can use it as an example..... http://3ringnecklace.com/

How's my ad? http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=50983;d=1 http://3ringnecklace.com/

I go to the bathroom before gearing up- In the plane: I pray to myself- picture the dive flow over and over- http://3ringnecklace.com/

I voted none because I didn't have to repeat any of my jumps. Even though I did IAF, not AFF. Oh well. http://3ringnecklace.com/

amusing? You're being sarcastic, right? Please? Actually I'm not being sarcastic. On the load where I had a cutaway and had to land off, other people under perfectly good mains tried to make it back and couldn't. They ended up getting injured because they didn't make the proper decisions, and tried to land in areas that weren't good to land in, but they were closer to the drop zone. As for the other guy who had the double malfunction- when he cutaway, he was tangled in his lines and didn't disconnect his RSL. When he cutaway, one of his risers stayed connected (it was pinched due to the pull of the spin that he was in). The reserve opened but the lines were really fucked up. Strangely enough the two canopies didn't tangle with each other. He was finally able to release that one remaining main riser at 3000 ft. He had to hold down one reserve toogle all the way in order for it to fly straight. He scraped up his leg on landing, but was fine otherwise. Scary shit, huh? http://3ringnecklace.com/

My 2nd cutaway at 53 jumps was an off landing. It was at the Ranch and no one made it back. I somehow managed to land in a tiny backyard under my reserve. There was a small pond, powerlines galore, a truck, a house (of course), clothes line, and a dog tied to a stake (not a good sign). I landed on my feet! It hitched a ride back to the DZ, past some ambulances for some jumpers who didn't land as safe as I did. Another one that was amusing- Someone at the Farm had the brilliant idea do to a cross country- BIG mistake. A guy who jumped out before me got tangled on his lines and decided to cutaway- without undoing his RSL - at 10K. And he didn't have a hook knife. Needless to say, I witnessed a double malfunction. Luckily, the guy landed safely in a cow pasture. While watching this, I realized at 7K that there was NO WAY I could make it back. I know CPR, so I wanted to land where the guy landed. After all of this, one of the other jumpers on the load looks down and picks up the guy's reserve handle off the ground! http://3ringnecklace.com/

I was 18, almost 19. Completed IAF when I was 19. Jumped for a year, took three years break, jumped for a year, took a year break, and now I'm jumping again. Don't plan on stopping any time soon (as long as I have a job anyway!). http://3ringnecklace.com/

I missed that? Good. I mean, oh darn. http://3ringnecklace.com/

When I had LASIK, I wasn't jumping, so I can't tell you how long I held off until I went jumping again. However, I have no problems now that I've healed and I jump regularly. The only thing is that my night vision sucks but I've been fine on all four of my night jumps. http://3ringnecklace.com/

Wise decision to get tunnel training before jumping AFF. I did the same thing. I have more time in the tunnel than in the air! It will give your a *major* advantage. Have fun, stay safe and blue skies!!!!

I still get nervous on the plane. I was much more nervous as a beginner though. I told myself, "The only way I'm getting off this plane is by jumping." Here's a couple of sport psych methods you can try: 1) Take slow, smooth breaths by pushing your stomach out on the inhale and pushing your stomach in on the exhale. Breathing heavy by inflating your chest will cause you to hyperventilate. 3) Use cue words to remind yourself of the objectives. 4) Visualize the dive flow from start to finish. 5) TRUST yourself and your training. Continue to learn and grow with each jump. Take additional classes, read magazines and books, watch training videos, hire a coach. Your anxiety and fear may be stemming from lack of knowledge. Hey, i knew my Master's degree in sport psych would come in handy one day! http://3ringnecklace.com/

I know it's been a month since this thread has died, but I just found it and read the whole thing.....so freakin' funny. I'm also a fencer and I get all sorts of dumb questions about that too. Except they're no special term for people who don't fence. They're normal I guess. After my first cutaway, I decided to show my whuffo mother my equipment so she won't worry about me so much. When I got done explaining all of the handles and such, she goes, "Oh, I was wondering how you were able to open a jack knife (and does the hand motion) in the air to CUT AWAY your parachute. I was having nightmares!" Also when people find out that I'm a skydiver, they say, "You've gone skydiving?" "Yes, but I'm a SKYDIVER." "You have your own equipment and everything?" "Yes." "You pull your own ripcord?" "Yes." (even though it's not a ripcord) "Can you bring me for a skydive?" "No." "Why not?" and on and on and on....... So I just don't people that I'm a skydiver. When people ask what I'm doing for the weekend, I say that I'm visiting friends. So I'm not actually lying. http://3ringnecklace.com/

They're naked yet they have to wear frap hats- so are they truly naked? http://3ringnecklace.com/

I agree with ladyhawke- some pieces of equipment you're going to change later on, like canopies. other things you can get in good shape like helmets, altimeters. Other things you would probably want new, like an AAD or jumpsuit. I got my gear new, but my main in used. Most people are safe to get gear from on this site, but watch out for scams. Make sure to ask a rigger and/or someone you trust before buying. ALWAYS get pictures!!! http://3ringnecklace.com/

I've haven't injured myself significantly yet from skydiving (i just jinxed it didn't I?). But, i did take a 3 year break from skydiving due to college. I jumped for another year, and then took another year break. http://3ringnecklace.com/

The Farm is great- really good people and they're flying a PAC now. You'll have a wonderful time!!!!! http://3ringnecklace.com/

I'm not a part of the banter back and forth here, but I'm going to put my two cents in anyway... It sounds to me like the people who make the arrangements made some sketchy judgment calls. What could have been a disaster (because of the last minute change of plans and the gas canister failing) though everything turned out fine. They impressed the crowd, mission accomplished in their eyes. I have seen clips and heard about demos going horribly wrong- people biffing into trucks, pavement, sides of stadiums, etc... Instead of showing the crowd that skydiving is a legitimate safe sport, they break their legs trying to show off. Luckily, that didn't happen in this demo. Not-so-nice landings are not a big deal- especially if you are being honest about skydiving. Car wrecks happen all the time in NASCAR, yet people keep coming back. I don't have a pro-rating or anything, but that's just what I think about it- http://3ringnecklace.com/

Congrads! Now on to level 5.... It took me about 100-150 jumps to finally land on my feet consistently. Keep working at it. You'll get it! http://3ringnecklace.com/

How about: "Packers do it on their knees." http://3ringnecklace.com/

No matter how many jumps you have, two things are certain: 1) you never stop learning 2) you never stop fearing. The fear only gets smaller, but it never goes away. That fear keeps you alive. I had two mals in my first 53 jumps and I took a three year break b/c I was too scared. I'd have nightmares about hitting th ground before my chute would fully inflate. Very scary, but I have gotten the courage to start jumping again. I'm learning more and more every time I go to the DZ. I'm working on getting my coaching certification. All the best to you!! http://3ringnecklace.com/

As I've heard many times myself- feel the fear and do it anyway. http://3ringnecklace.com/

Looks like they should have gotten closer to the formation by bending their knees. Their butt is sticking out too far (maybe it's the wide angle lens, I'm not sure). They were a little late on the the count and could have arched a bit more, getting their legs up and out of the plane sooner. Still, I'm sure they didn't mean it and we all make mistakes. I hope they're alright. http://3ringnecklace.com/